STAGE 3

STAGE 3

KEN STARK

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

There is an axiom in writing novels that is ‘Show, don’t tell.’ By using sensory details, character behavior, and subtext to convey meaning naturally, Mr. Stark draws the reader into a world immersed in zombies.

Immersed is saying it lightly. From beginning to end, the main character, Mason, kills more zombies than exist while protecting an intelligent, blind ten-year-old Mackenzie on a journey to find her aunt Sara.

With limited conversations, Mr. Stark pulls off a compelling novel that keeps the reader engaged with horrific events. I am not a zombie novel enthusiast, but I enjoyed most of this long, drawn-out story.

I recommend the STAGE 3 series for people who like zombies. For those who don’t, read a romance novel.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/481zzna

 

 

 

Books, Bubble Tea, and Bodies

BOOKS, BUBBLE TEA, and BODIES

LISA PEVEY

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Yes, this is a cozy mystery, a long one. This story is about three friends: Callie, Maya, and Josh. The murder is accidental to the reader.

An elderly friend of Callie dies. The police call it accidental, and while Callie is snooping around, another accident is fatal.

Callies is on the right track, and she pulls her friends along for the investigative ride. Between episodes, they drink bubble tea while feeding Smokie, the dog, treats.

The characters are cute, the story is plausible, but there is too much fluff - description of events. Take it out, and you have a great cozy mystery.

 Purchase: https://amzn.to/4lCHNFv

 

VIA con DIOS

ROY MURRY'S #Suspense #Thriller 'VIA con Dios' is now an Amazon eBook. The paperback will be available soon. https://amzn.to/3Jgccff 

 

FBI Agent Amelia Maloney finds herself in a conundrum. She has a case to solve, but her Boss wants to sweep it under the rug, so to speak. "Washington says let Florida solve the case of four ministers murdered."

Agent Maloney is determined to get justice for the victim's families, which leads to a suspenseful investigation of the VIA con DIOS murders. She does what needs to get done, which crosses religious and border lines.

What will she do?

Coming to America

COMING TO AMERICA

A History of Immigration and

Ethnicity in American Life

ROGER DANIELS

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

If you are a Social Studies major in college, this book is for you. The book is full of statistics that one would need to complete a term paper.

However, if a reader is looking for entertainment, I recommend staying away from this chronicle of our North American ancestors' origins. The history is often dull, and the book is a long read, as it's full of information that you will likely never use.

Some parts of Daniel's chapters do tell stories of why people move about the world. Reading this detailed history will reveal how various individuals and groups came to America, which may come as a surprise to the reader.

I recommend that if you care about why your group, the Irish or the Italians, for example, immigrated, the reader can find out. If not, this is not for you.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4mhaPvG

FRONT PAGE FATALITY

FRONT PAGE FATALITY

Maisy Marple Publication

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

I love cozy mysteries. This mystery about a small-town newbie reporter, Lucy Hartwell, hits most of the bells to be a great first in a series read.

However, the book is a good, entertaining read. The supporting characters required a bit more background, as did the town.

The story had its moments, and Lucy shone as a person with an inquisitive mind, which is essential as a reporter. She gets the job done, and it will be interesting in this series to see the situations she’ll be put in.

As for FRONT PAGE, the author keeps the reader interested to the surprising end. Lucy, through elimination, determines the culprit, and the murderer knows everyone in the town.

Good, quick, and fun read: https://amzn.to/46HCjFT

Primal Health Design

PRIMAL HEALTH DESIGN

DR. KAVIN MISTRY

Book Review by Author Roy Murry

 

We are all aging; can't stop it. Dr. Mistry provides the reader with seven ways to help reverse the biological systems that control human existence.

Comparing an African's lifestyle many years ago with that of modern-day man's tribulations, he outlines ways to increase one's life. By contrasting the good and bad traits of each, his paradigms are instructive and can be put into action.

The book is one that the reader should keep in the library and read each long chapter and put it down. Then think and read the next. This multiple instructional narrative is not to be read continuously.

Good Read. https://amzn.to/3TVsoF1

THE PLACE

THE PLACE

E.B. SULLIVAN

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

This drama's backdrop is the 1800s California Gold Rush, where men either struck it rich or were driven into poverty. One man who had a farm and no abilities whatsoever other than drinking sold his daughter, age thirteen, to a Madam.

Lula, her nickname, became a prostitute, learned her trade, and many more lessons in life. She did not follow the crowd; instead, she educated herself and formed close relationships with the men with whom she was intimate.

One young man she fell in love with. However, she did not let him know because she was ashamed of her low social status and upbringing. He came from a wealthy background and left to pursue a career as a doctor in Boston, Massachusetts.

Their written communications brought life to their relationship. However, their status brought destruction to their desires.

And that breakup destroys it, until...

Purchase this extremely well-written drama: https://amzn.to/3Tpm748.

 

RETRIBUTIVE JUSTICE

RETRIBUTIVE JUSTICE

DENNIS CARSTENS

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

The Retributive novel is my sixth Justice book that I have read since 2022. Carstens uses some of the same complicated and compelling main characters: Maddy, the beautiful detective married to Marc; Marc and Connie, the lawyers; and Tony, the detective.

In this book, Tony kills an attacker, and Marc defends him. Meanwhile, Connie and Marc are working on another case, while Maddy works to save the day.

The main story is about Aiyana, whose family and friends abused her when she was younger, and a group of kids manipulated by an adult. The adult Shama Tate convinces Aiyana and the middle schoolers how to use retribution to liberate their souls.

This suspenseful, multi-story collection culminates in an ending that the reader will enjoy. During the reading, the twists and turns will keep those readers turning the pages.

I will read another of his novels for the thrill of it. See other reviews below: search Dennis Carstens.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3TIuaZR

Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything

A SHORT HISTORY OF NEARLY EVERYTHING

BILL BRYSON

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology...CARL SAGAN.

Mr. Bryson, in this dissertation, educates us on the evolution of science and technology on Earth. In five hundred-plus pages, he will bore you and excite you with his historical and detailed explanations of how the Earth developed.

The read is well put together, but I found it too long to read continuously. As an avid reader, I read NEARLY EVERYTHING, one or two chapters at a time, to get the full impact of the Earth's and Everything's journey.

Readers with an inquisitive mind will enjoy Bill Bryson's commentaries and the results of how humans arrived in the 21st Century.

Excellent Read: https://amzn.to/4kWcQwi

SOULED OUT

SOULED OUT

ELL CYNE SERIES

 

BLANKLEY CHORPENNING

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

'Young Adult' novels interest me because they allow me to see what the new generation reads. Are vampires a thing? I guess so.

Ell is a reader of human souls for Vampires, which is the first step before the vamp sucks blood. Her capability is questioned, and the higher-ups want verification, starting with her relationship with her twin sister's soul.

The story offers a new twist in the genre and is well-crafted, featuring a Vampire protector for Ell. She is being pursued by nefarious elements who want her soul discredited.

The events leading to the gripping ending are unusual but somewhat tricky to follow. However, the readers' attention is kept glued to the page.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4katYh5

 

Flair for Chardonnay

A FLAIR for CHARDONNAY

A Sadie Kramer Flair Mystery

DEBORAH GARNER

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Sadie is not the person one would think of as a sleuth. She is a flamboyant woman, a chocolate addict, and the owner of a dress shop.

Her shop, FLAIR, is next door to a chocolate boutique, whose owner is also part of a family winery. Sadie visits the winery for a weekend getaway when a murder occurs.

Sadie's relationship with the owner of the chocolate boutique gets her involved. After making several trips to the winery and meeting all the family members and police involved with the murder, she solves the case using logic that none of the people saw or investigated—an outsider is the criminal.

That outsider is in plain sight but not considered.

Easy reading to follow.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/44E6EE1

CHASING JUSTICE

CHASING JUSTICE

Piper Anderson Series Book One

DANIELLE STEWART

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

This novel is a suspenseful thriller with a background in multiple relationships. Piper sees a crime in progress, which causes her PTSD to move her into action against a criminal.

In her quest, she meets endearing people and a cop who falls in love with her. These people produce new emotions in Piper, which leads to the unraveling of a web of murder, pedophilia, and other crimes.

JUSTICE is entertaining, but the characters' backgrounds are too deep, and the ending leaves the reader hanging. The novel is too long for my taste.

Ms. Stewart leaves the reader with too many questions to contemplate at the dramatic conclusion. Therefore, she brings you into Book Two of the series.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4jiUTrc

Fish Out of Water

FISH OUT OF WATER

An Ozark Lake Mystery #1

MARC JEDEL

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Serendipity is a good word to use for this light mystery. Elizabeth returns to her birthplace with her husband Jonas, the fish out of water, in tow.

A man that Elizabeth fights with when returning to town is murdered. The newbie Sheriff arrests her for the crime.

She and Jonas go a-snooping. Jonas, who has never been in an Arkansas small town, goes about his business, and clues laughing fall on his plate.

This novel is not much of a mystery, but the off-the-wall characters and town community events contribute to a good read. You'll have to read book two to see who dies next.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/42rCtgP